North Dakota in general is spared certain horrors of the drug trade, like heroin and cocaine, but its very rural status and sprawling farms make it a breeding ground for meth labs. Anhydrous ammonia used for agricultural purposes is a principle ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine, which is rated the principle drug of concern in North Dakota. Its highly addictive qualities make it equally hard to treat, and it is widely available statewide to adults and children alike. A 2008 report by the North Dakota Department of Human Services showed that even in rural and “frontier” areas of the state, upwards of 60% of young people surveyed indicated that they had little to no problem accessing drugs like marijuana, inhalants, cocaine, hallucinogens, and meth.
While North Dakota ranks among the lowest nationwide for drug abuse overall, its ranking for alcohol dependency is among the highest of all states, well above the national average.
To counter these rather depressing statistics, 65 drug and alcohol treatment centers operate in North Dakota, four owned by the state, three by tribal authorities, and the rest are either private nonprofit or private for-profit rehabilitation centers. Together they treated 2,400 people admitted for drug or alcohol abuse in 2007.
Trends noted by admissions to North Dakota drug and alcohol treatment facilities reflect the changing face of substance abuse treatment in North Dakota. The steady climb in methamphetamine and marijuana admissions has helped drive the rate of drug-only admissions to North Dakota rehab facilities from just 2% in 1992 to 20% in 2006. A daily snapshot of patients in treatment in 2007 showed that 12% were under the age of 18.
When evaluating the network of North Dakota drug and alcohol treatment centers, bear in mind that they do not offer identical programs and services. Only four facilities and seven doctors were certified (as of 2006, the most recent data) to administer buprenorphine for opiate addiction. No facilities in 2006 were listed as offering opioid programs of the type required to treat addictions to Oxycontin or Valium. North Dakota families may have to look outside the local area to find rehab facilities or treatment programs that offer the type of care needed for a particular addiction. Over 1/3 of all treatment facilities in North Dakota, however, offer residential care, good news for families who wish to separate their loved one completely from the old lifestyle during recovery.
More good news for North Dakota residents lies in the fact that the state ranks low among all states in the number of citizens reporting needing treatment for drug abuse but not receiving it. The rate is higher for alcohol dependency, in keeping with North Dakota’s higher rate of alcohol abuse overall. This may be due less to availability of qualified drug and alcohol treatment centers in North Dakota than to individual unwillingness to seek help. This is unfortunate, for in the case of meth addiction, especially, early treatment is key to producing better outcomes. Meth, the primary drug menace in North Dakota, is quite destructive physically; early enrollment into a certified rehab center will help to limit the damage and increase the chances that the emotional dependence can be overcome as well. This holds true for all other addictions as well.
